The Menifee PD is alerting the public of a scam involving Menifee police impersonation.
On March 1, the Menifee PD dispatch center received a call from a manager at a local bank, advising that one of their customers was at their branch attempting to withdraw a large sum of money. The customer stated they were being told by a Menifee Police sergeant that they had a warrant for their arrest.
According to the Menifee PD, the suspect had utilized an actual police sergeant’s name to identify himself and told the victim that if she did not purchase gift cards and provide the activation information for the gift cards he would locate and arrest her. The suspect used internet technology to mirror a police department phone number during the calls.
The Menifee PD stated that the victim provided the suspect with multiple gift card numbers and activation information; however, the suspect continued to ask for additional money. This prompted the victim to become suspicious and she subsequently communicated this to bank personnel, who then contacted the Menifee PD.
Citizens who receive such phone calls as this should contact their local police department and verify the source of the call. The Menifee PD advises citizens to not make any payments to any person acting as a government agent without confirming their identity and legal reason for the solicitation of any type of payment. No law enforcement agency will ever ask for payment in lieu of arrest. Monetary fines related to criminal incidents are imposed by a court of law.
The act of obtaining monetary gain through fear and false pretenses is a violation of Penal Code 532(a) and can be punishable by up to three years in jail or prison.
